Book One ~ Lost Avalon
Cover by SoLoud!Media
Word Count ~ 60,000
Contemporary Romance
Content Warning - Adult Language and Situations
Fame, fortune and a future paved with rock 'n roll gold - Blaise Nolan has it all. With his brooding good looks, haunting voice and troubled lyrics of a soul gone lost, it's no wonder his band Finding Nolan has been climbing the music charts with back to back hits. Only Blaise didn't wind up brooding, haunted and lost by accident...
Avalon Jennison has been the girl next door since she was five. The best friend since she was eight. The band manager since she was sixteen, and the keeper of his secrets always. Ava's been there every step of the way, helping Blaise live his dreams while keeping his nightmares at bay. But the years of putting Blaise's needs above her own are about to be over.
Except, Blaise has one secret even Ava doesn't know...and it could be the thing that breaks her heart completely, or finally puts it back together.
*All Finding Nolan Novels are stand alone stories. However, due to recurring characters and the way each story builds on the one before it, they are best read in order.*
Royce and I just stood there staring at the closed door. Then we heard the water go on in the shower and realized she wasn’t coming back out anytime soon.
“What are you going to do when you’re sober?” Royce was looking way too satisfied with himself.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, what are you going to do when there’s no more reason to play pretend? Are you hoping she just gets so used to acting like your girlfriend that she’ll forget that she’s not?”
He wasn’t blocking the f*cking door anymore, so I was free to make my exit. Which I did.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.” Royce was following me out of the room and back into the kitchen.
“Look. I don’t expect you to understand my relationship with Ava.”
Royce shrugged. “What’s to understand? You’re in love with her.”
“This is what I’m talking about. Why do people always assume that when a guy and a girl are close friends, it means that one of them has to be in love with the other?”
Royce went to get the cup of coffee he had abandoned before sh*t got heated. “I don’t assume that.” He took a sip, made a face and stuck the coffee in the microwave. “I would have no problem believing that the two of you were best friends who had a completely platonic relationship…if I didn’t know for a fact that it was complete and utter bullsh*t.” His coffee was done and he took another drink, this time with better results. “If it makes you feel any better, she’s clearly in love with you, too. Although, unlike you, I don’t think she’s aware of it.” Then he took his cup and left to go out onto the terrace.
Unlike me? Where was he coming up with this…this ridiculous…truth. It was true. I was in love with Ava. And she felt the same way about me. Thing Royce in all his smugness had failed to see was that I’d made damn sure she stayed unaware of it.
My Review
Lost Avalon is a classic rockstar romance, with the added drama of substance abuse, enabling and co-dependency issues that add a heavy dose of angst and emotion. It's also got the additional turmoil of the friends-to-more angle...just in case you thought you weren't getting enough of the strained emotion.
Ava (Avalon) and Blaise balance each other perfectly, a result of knowing each other since they were children and going through some very rough times on both sides. Acknowledging their feelings for each other doesn't happen quite so easily though, and when you toss in their added drama with Blaise's substance abuse struggles and Ava's part in that, you get a story that keeps you on edge while still hoping they can figure out a solution, as it is obvious to anyone who reads their story that Ava and Blaise were only ever meant for each other.
All of the characters-main and supporting-have depth and unique personalities that contribute to a one-of-a-kind group dynamic, a band that is also a family and will love and support each other no matter what. Ava did at times come across as a bit stubborn and too strong, but for the most part she was balanced out with Blaise and the other characters.
A great start to the Finding Nolan series, Lost Avalon is an emotional roller coaster that will leave you wanting to know all the band members stories, and enjoying every minute of the read. 4 stars! Recommended for 18+ due to adult language and suggestive adult intimate scenes.
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Book Two ~ Secret Hudson
Cover by SoLoud!Media
Word Count ~ 52,000
Contemporary Romance / LGBT Romance
Content Warning - Adult Language and Situations
Word Count ~ 52,000
Contemporary Romance / LGBT Romance
Content Warning - Adult Language and Situations
Royce Lemmi went from being the bullied little freak in high school to rock and roll demigod in the blink of an eye. While playing to packed stadiums filled with screaming fans night after night is a daily reminder of how far he’s come, most days Royce can’t help but see that tortured soul from before, anytime he looks in the mirror.
Kieran Hudson has never spent a day of his life questioning who he was or what he wanted. He spends his days tending to his mother’s store, but his nights are dedicated to exploring the world through the lens of his camera and exposing beauty in the most unexpected places.
When Royce and Kieran’s paths cross in a twist of paparazzi fate, they both react true to form. Royce runs to hide the weakness he fears, behind the success he now depends on, while Kieran never wavers on what he wants or who he wants to be with. And he’s going to do what he does best to convince Royce he’s right.
All Kieran has to do…is expose the beauty in the place Royce least expects to find it. Himself.
There was a knock on the door almost simultaneously to it opening.
“Royce?” It was Ava.
“What’s up, buttercup?”
“The coffee here blows. I’m going to make a store run. Need anything?”
I stared down at my legs, fully dressed in jeans, socks and shoes, then back over at the TV screen. I’d been awake, showered, clothed, and watching a Gilligan’s Island marathon since five a.m. What I needed, was to get out of this f*cking hotel room.
“I’m sure I’ll think of something once we’re there.” I pointed the remote straight at the captain’s head and pulled the trigger. Thank God that was finally over.
She made a face at me. “You’re going to come?”
“I’m sorry. Is that a problem?” Not twelve hours ago she’d asked me to follow her into the bathroom to keep her company while she showered. Now seemed like an odd time to suddenly require some privacy.
Ava reached for the baseball cap hanging on the doorknob and strapped it over my head. “Not any more.” She pointed at the nightstand behind me. “Hey, grab those shades too, would ya? I really don’t feel like getting attacked by the paparazzi pre-shower and wearing my sweats.”
“You showered. I know. I was there, remember?” I slid on the shades anyway. I wasn’t in the mood for a morning mob either. I was no Blaise Nolan, but in lieu of Finding Nolan’s front man, people seemed to be happy to settle for the lowly bass player in a heartbeat.
“Um, that shower was ages ago. Do you know how much I’ve sweat in the meantime?” She led the way out the door, in spite of her apparent nastiness.
“Gross. I know we’re close Ava, but I do not need to hear about your sweaty sex with Blaise.” I reached for my wallet and room key on the way out.
“Ew! I went for a run this morning, you jackass! For the record, I don’t have unattractive, sweaty sex. I do it all nice and pretty like…you know, the way they do it in the movies. All sensual and magical.”
I nodded, even though she had her back to me. “Yeah, I hear that all the time about hetero sex. How magical it is.” Ava turned her head briefly and acknowledged the sarcasm with a dramatic eye roll and her standard half-smirk, but didn’t bother to respond. We’d had the hetero sex talk plenty of times before in the past. She knew where I stood with it. Preferably at a safe distance where I could pretend it didn’t exist.
Vaginas didn’t scare me exactly. I mean, they seemed innocent enough, and I could see the convenience of it all, one piece fitting into the other. But I’d taken sex ed. I’d seen that sweet little flower chicks claimed they were sitting on morph into monsters big enough to spit out a watermelon on a moment’s notice. Don’t tell me there isn’t something shady about that.
If straight dudes want to stick their d*cks in there, I say do so at your own risk. Someday that beast may decide to swallow instead of spit, and then what the f*ck are you going to do? Be f*cking d*ckless, that’s what.
We were in the elevator going down to the lobby when I noticed Ava was still grinning.
“What?”
She chuckled before she answered, “You look nervous. Thinking about penis-eating vaginas again?”
“The thing drools blood, Ava! It’s clearly carnivorous.”
The mocking grin fell from her face. “Okay, now you’re just being disgusting. And you know I can’t keep up in below the belt verbal combat before I’ve had my coffee, so that was an entirely unfair attack.”
I jerked my brow in feigned shock. “What attack? It was merely an act of self-defense. You started it. And it will count. And we’re calling it a truce.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
My Review
While the first book in the Finding Nolan series, Lost Avalon, dealt with some pretty serious issues and had a lot of drama, I found Secret Hudson to be much more lighthearted, even though it covered its own complicated topics.
The banter between characters in this story was fantastic, and there was plenty to laugh about. I loved delving further into the Finding Nolan characters, and during Secret Hudson you feel like you're becoming even more ingrained in this family of friends. The addition of Kieran Hudson to the group as an interest for Royce just works so well, and his character complements Royce wonderfully.
As with almost every M/M romance I've read, this story--while funny and witty most of the time--was filled with plenty of emotion, especially given the fact that Royce is not out to anyone but the core Finding Nolan group...while Hudson doesn't hide. That scenario is usually a recipe for disaster at some point, and despite that overwhelming feelings they both have...well, something has to give somewhere.
The story is gripping, emotional, and powerful while still being quite humorous, and it will make you fall for both Royce and Hudson no matter what your gender. They're both insightful characters, which make for some strong feelings and intense scenes, and I have found that, of the first three books of this series, Secret Hudson is far and away my favorite.
5 intense and emotional stars for Secret Hudson, recommended for 18+ due to adult language and topics.
Cover by SoLoud!Media
Word Count ~ 56,000
Contemporary Romance
Content Warning - Adult Language (I think we can pretty much count on this with everything I write, lol)
Angel Hollis has mastered two things in his life. Music and Women. And with the other men of Finding Nolan moving on to more long-term relationships, Angel's not complaining about picking up the slack and keeping the groupies happy and satisfied.
Addison Jennison has been in love with Angel since she was eleven. Long before the fans were screaming his name and lining up to sleep with him, she was there. Only he never noticed. And why would he? She was just a kid.
Then.
Now, at twenty-one, she's finally old enough to catch his eye...provided he allows himself to look. Addison isn't just anyone. She's Ava's little sister. And Ava's family. There are rules. Lines that can't be crossed. Hearts not to be tampered with.
Angel's determined not to screw up and hurt the people he loves most, but no one is prepared when he comes face to face with his undoing and...he falls.
“So, when will this inappropriate touching take place?” She looks up and catches my gaze again. “I’m assuming I’m the one you’ll be touching inappropriately, right?”
Well, she’s definitely not sweet and innocent anymore. “Uh,” I clear my throat repeatedly. What is happening to me? How in the hell is she doing this? She’s Bam Bam, for f*ck’s sake. Ava’s goofy little sister with the sweet smile and sad eyes. Only that’s not who I see when I look at her now. “Did you want to be touched inappropriately?”
She shrugs. “Do you?”
I cough. I feel like a jackass. It’s not cool. I’m supposed to be calm about this sh*t. Not act like a f*cking pansy ass who can barely put together a sentence just because she smiles at me. I’m not f*cking Royce.
“Sh*t.” I drop my fork in my empty box.
“What?” She’s frowning, no sign of that sexy as hell smirk left to be found. Which should make this easier. But it doesn’t. Because I remember. I remember the last time I saw a person acting the way I’m acting right now. And if what happened to him, is happening to me…sh*t just got real.
“Um, I just remembered. The band. The one I wanted to take you to go see. They start playing in less than half an hour. This time of day, with traffic, I don’t think we’ll make it in time.” I slide down from the trunk of my car, purposely keeping my face turned away from her. I have an odd sense she could see straight through me right now if our eyes met.
“Huh.” I hear a soft thud behind me as her feet hit the ground as well. Then I feel her arm wrap around my stomach, her body pressing against my back. “I don’t really feel like sitting in traffic right now,” she says quietly, her head resting right below my shoulder.
The sensation of suffocating starts to settle in my chest again. I don’t get why it keeps happening. And I don’t like it. If my body continues to equate her touch with oxygen one of us is bound to get hurt…or worse.
“If we don’t get in the car right now and get back on the road,” I pause, straining to fill my lungs with air, “we’re not going to make the show on time.”
“Angel?” Her body slinks around me until we’re standing face to face. “Are you really thinking about a bunch of British guys and their instruments right now?”
That smirk is back. And I’m completely f*cked.
“Hell no.” I take in a ragged breath. “I’m thinking we’ve got a real problem here though.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t think I can call you Bam Bam anymore,” I mutter, thinking how there’s no chance in hell this smartass, sexy woman will ever again conjure up the same innocent brotherly thoughts that little girl did once upon a time.
Her usual smirk breaks into a smile. “There’s always Addy.”
I shake my head. “No good. Everyone calls you that.”
“What do you want to call me?”
Mine. But I don’t say that out loud. “Something no one else does. Something just for me.”
“Easy. Call me Addison. You can be the first person to ever talk to me like I’m an adult.”
“I like that. Addison.” Then I’m breathing her in. Inhaling her with a kiss so intense I’m losing track of where I end and she begins. Her hands. My hands. Her body. My body. They move together in a way I’ve never felt before with any other woman. It’s like I finally get why people compare themselves to pieces of a puzzle. Because sometimes you find yourself with someone who just…fits.
My Review
First I want to mention that even though this could be read as a standalone, you'll get more enjoyment out of it if you read Lost Avalon and Secret Hudson from the series first.
Fallen Angel gives us Angel, Finding Nolan's drummer, and Addison's story. This is one of those friend's-little-sister stories and what happens what that little sister is now all...grown...up. Addison has had a crush on Angel since she was eleven years old and Finding Nolan used to practice in her family's garage. But as the little sister that was so much younger, she was left behind when the band made it big...while Angel turned into your classic rockstar manwhore, only ever having hookups--no relationships.
But people grow up, and things change...and watching things blossom between the two of them was cute and refreshing after the heavier topics in the first two books of the series. That's not to say there's no drama here...of course there is, and it comes in the form of Angel's dad (yeah, didn't care for him at all), as well as the minor taboo of Addison being "little Addy" to the band. And I have to be honest here--I really didn't care for Ava's overbearing attitude toward Addison as well as her attitude toward Addison and Angel becoming more than friends...no matter how Ava plays it off toward the end. It just rubbed me the wrong way, especially when the rest of the Finding Nolan family seemed to be understanding (at least for the most part).
A good, solid addition to the series, Fallen Angel was a 4-star read for me. Recommended for 18+ due to adult language and suggestive adult intimate scenes.
Dog Lover who likes her pastries full of cream and sugar….oh…and I write some ;-)
Aside from being an author, I am also a mom to a beautiful 5 year old little girl. I tell everyone I named her after my great-grandmother (because that’s the mature answer), but really, I named her after my favorite princess – just so happens I got lucky and they had the same name…If I wasn’t a writer, I would work on a horse ranch – I’m an animal lover (in addition to dogs, horses are at the top of my list). I wear flip-flops pretty much everywhere I go. I would rather stay awake until 5 am than get up at 5 am (years of bar tending have left their mark), if I can, I’m going to the beach AND I will always be nice to people who bring me chocolate…or coffee…if you bring me both, I’ll probably love you forever.A gypsy at heart, I write the way I live, following the story wherever it may lead, always ready to start the next one. This is clearly reflected in my body of work which to date includes everything from Children’s Lit to Thrillers.
I happily reside in sunny Florida (for now) and always enjoy hearing from fellow readers!!
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